Three chefs, five courses, and a ride home — all of it for a worthy cause.
The Langley Hospice Society fundraiser, Plates & Glasses, held at the Fort Langley Community Hall on Saturday night raised just over $20,000.
The dining and libation pairing event — the first event of its kind in support of the Hospice Society — was as much about raising awareness as raising funds, “so people both understand what we do and why we need support,” said Shannon Todd Booth, communications and funds development manager for the society.
Featured speaker Pat Thebaud described the experience she and her husband Don had at the Langley hospice after he was diagnosed with cancer.
While he was initially reluctant to move into the hospice, once home care was no longer possible, he “just settled in there,” Thebaud said.
“He was very happy.”
She praised the staff at the hospice as “super, super people” who helped her husband pass away “quietly, gently and with great dignity.”
Thebaud also talked about the emotional impact of losing her husband of 40 years on Christmas Eve, 2014.
“I had no idea what grief was,” she said.
The turning point, she said, was joining a grief support group.
She remains grateful for the time she was able to spend with her husband, even sleeping overnight at the hospice on occasion.
“We made the most of our time together,” she said.
Around 120 people turned out for Saturday’s event, which featured five courses – prepared by Angie Quaale and the chefs of Well Seasoned – A Gourmet Food Store, with ingredients by local businesses Otter Co-op, Bonetti Meats, and the 1 Fish 2 Fish Fresh Seafood Market. All of it was served family style to guests.
The evening’s meal was paired with B.C wines, distilleries and craft breweries. The ride home with provided by Driving Force.
Funds raised are being tallied and will be posted here when they are known.
The funds raised will support Langley Hospice Society’s Supportive Program Centre and help fund its bereavement support programs offered to children, teens, adults and families. These programs offer emotional and practical support to those who are grieveing the loss of a significant person in their lives, and offered free of charge to those who need them.